January 13, 2016 Vol. 13 No. 1

Like every year for as long as I can remember, the trucking technology introduced in 2015 was fascinating. Applause is due. To the engineers and chemists and software geeks who produced it all, but also to the suits who said ‘yes’ to the ideas in the first place.

With glass raised, then, I offer this short and entirely subjective review of the highlights of 2015. Just 10 items biggish and small from a potential cast of thousands, so to make things a little easier I’ve ruled out whole trucks and trailers as well as other products that may have been announced but weren’t actually available in 2015.

The latter qualification rules out a bunch of things, including the autonomous Freightliner Inspiration truck unveiled last May, and a couple of other feats of engineering that I covered in my last newsletter. Daimler Trucks North America outdid itself with that production and certainly with the truck. It’s the first such commercial vehicle to be licensed to run on an open public highway in the U.S., but who knows when you’ll be able to buy one.

I should also mark the introduction in late November of the Detroit DD5 and DD8, though we won’t see them until later this year and full production won’t happen until 2018. And PACCAR is expanding its range of diesels in North America with the introduction of the 10.8-liter MX-11, also based on a successful European engine. We’ll see it available for order in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks and tractors very soon.

There was lots of other forward-looking news on the tech front. Bendix, for example, is moving technology ahead with its “next generation” air compressors. The “revolutionary design” reduces the weight by over 40% compared to the current BA-921 compressor – and it all adds up to a reduction in power consumption up to 30%.

And Cummins told us about an interesting DPF advance for 2017, the EcoFit Single Module DPF said to be 60% smaller and 40% lighter than what’s been required since 2013. It’s claimed to improve emissions reduction performance while delivering better fuel economy. And end-users should get a more robust and reliable aftertreatment system.

One final note: both Mack and Volvo introduced interesting 6×2 drive-axle technologies in 2015 but they’re absent here because of their limited applicability in Canada.

So let’s get to the top 10, in no particular order at all.

COMPOSITE-SPRING SUSPENSION. SAF-Holland’s latest trailer suspension, the ULX40 UltraLite slider with composite springs, is claimed to be the lightest of its type in North America. Packaged as an all-in-one system, it’s a complete integration of suspension, axles, springs, and SAF drum or optional disc brakes with a 40,000-lb capacity. It offers the industry’s first 10-year suspension and axle warranty.